South Jordan, Utah, native and longtime Olympus Gymnastics athlete Oaklie Deputy had a standout 2025 season, highlighted by her second appearance at the Nastia Liukin Cup and a career-high 39.275 all-around score at regionals. She capped her season by earning a national title on floor. Deputy’s path to college gymnastics, however, hasn’t been without its challenges. After navigating an injury during a critical recruiting year, she ultimately changed her commitment from BYU to Ohio State. Now a newly minted five-star recruit, Deputy heads into her senior year with confidence and momentum.
Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Club gym: Olympus Gymnastics
College team: Ohio State
Hometown: South Jordan, Utah
How did you first fall in love with gymnastics?
When I was little, I did dance and tumbling, but I always told my mom I wanted to do bars. She put me in gymnastics when I was around 6 years old, and I’ve loved it ever since!
What has been the highlight of your gymnastics career so far?
The highlight of my career was qualifying for the Nastia Liukin Cup for the first time. It was my first level 10 season, and I wasn’t expecting it at all! I had a great meet, and we ended on beam. I always ask my coach to go last when we compete, so I was waiting for a while and knew the score I needed to qualify. Everyone was watching, and I stuck my routine and dismount. It was just the best feeling ever!
What were your goals for the past season, and did you achieve them?
Two of my goals were to get a 39 all-around and qualify for the Nastia Liukin Cup again. I was able to achieve both, and I’m very happy with how the season went.
You’re a two-time Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier. Competitors often describe it as a really special competition. What was the experience like for you?
Both times I qualified, I had at least one teammate qualify with me, which made it super fun! I love the Nastia Liukin Cup because it is such a unique experience—definitely intimidating since everyone there is so talented—but overall it’s an exciting (and nerve-wracking) meet.
Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?
My coach, Jess, has probably made the biggest impact. She has helped me through all of my challenges as a gymnast and is such an amazing person! She is always patient with me and lets me have lots of fun in the gym while still working hard and improving.
Was there a specific moment when it really clicked that college gymnastics was a real possibility for you?
When I first started doing gymnastics, it was always a goal to compete in college, but I didn’t think about it very often. Once I finally got to level 10, I realized that I was going to be able to do it. I loved being able to watch my older teammates go through recruiting, and it definitely got me more excited for college and my recruiting process.
Your original commitment was to BYU, but you’ve since committed to Ohio State. Can you share a bit about what that journey looked like for you and how you came to make that change?
At my first meet last season, I broke my foot trying to compete a new vault and was out for most of the season. I made it my goal to get back in time for state, regionals, and nationals, which I did and ended the season strong. However, I knew my injury would affect my recruiting process. I was so excited and really happy when I originally committed to BYU—I loved everything about the school and program. But this season, being healthy and switching my vault helped me show more of my skills, and I realized I wanted to make sure BYU was still the right place for me. It was a very hard decision to make—definitely one of the hardest things I have ever had to do—and I did not take my decision lightly. My faith played a huge role in everything—I felt I needed to take a leap and get out of my comfort zone. If you know me, you know I don’t seem like someone who would want to leave the state of Utah (I absolutely love it here), but I just had the feeling that I would be pushed and grow somewhere else. I ultimately chose to commit to Ohio State, and I’m extremely happy with my decision. I love both BYU and Ohio State, and I’m forever grateful to both of the amazing programs!
What’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced in gymnastics, and how has overcoming it shaped you as both an athlete and a person?
Choosing between schools was the toughest challenge. It was hard to know what would be best for me, but it taught me a lot about myself, my values, and how to have difficult conversations. I’m especially grateful to my coaches Jess and Ryan, who helped and supported me through it all.
What’s a personal gymnastics achievement you’re especially proud of that might surprise people?
I’m really proud of how far I’ve come on beam! I won’t lie, I used to really struggle with it and hated competing it. Now it’s one of my favorite events, and I get the least nervous for it! Like many gymnasts, I’ve dealt with mental blocks—especially on series—but I’ve improved a lot. Even though there are still hard days, I truly enjoy beam now.
Looking ahead to your college career, what are you most excited to experience, both as a gymnast and in your personal life?
I am so excited to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone! I’ve been at Olympus Gymnastics my whole gymnastics career, so being “the new girl” for once will be really exciting. I also love to compete, so I’m looking forward to how many college meets there are in a season. Outside the gym, I’m really excited to learn and grow academically—I’ve always loved school and learning new things!
What’s something on your college gymnastics bucket list?
Vault has always been a big struggle for me, so one of my biggest goals is to make the vault lineup sometime in my college career!
Quick Hits
Vault, bars, beam, or floor? Bars
Which four gymnasts would be on your college gymnastics Mount Rushmore? Honestly, I’ve never followed college or Olympic gymnastics, so I’m going to pick my Olympus teammates—Ava Jackson, Avery Neff, Sophie Schriever, and Brinlee Christensen.
What’s your most-used emoji? 
or 
What’s one of your gymnastics pet peeves? Crying
What’s one of your pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Cheesecake Factory Caesar salad the night before every single meet! (Haven’t missed one in like three years.)
What’s a hidden talent people may not know about? I play piano.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Not sure yet about a career, but I definitely want to be a mom.
What’s your favorite leotard your college team has worn?
Ohio State’s red chandelier leotard.
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Article by KT Couldrey
